Four-wheel brake



1,646,335 A. C. WOODRUFF FOUR-WHEEL BRAKE Filed Dec. l0, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR #60ml/f5 ATroRNEYs Oct. 18 1927 16463 A A.vc.WOODRUFF 35 FOUR-WHEEL BRAK Filed Dec. l0. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR /z C llomaf-f;

| ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

. UNITED STATES y ALVIE CLIDE WOODRFF, OF OAKRIDGE, OREGON.

FOUR-WHEEL BRAKE.

Application filed December 10,'1924.` Serial No. 754,996.

rhis invention relates to a braking mechanism and is more particularlydirected to a device adapted to be used` in connection with four` wheelbrakes.

An object of the invention is the provision of abrake adapted to beapplied :to they en'- ternal surface of a brake drum and in which aplurality of externally mounted springs are Vadapted to maintain thebrake band out lo of engagement with Lthe brake dium.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a brake having ablock pivotally connected at one end of the brake band anda toggleconnecting said block to the other end 35 with a universal shaftoperating the block for tightening the band.

A. still further object of the invention is the provision of a brakingdevice which' is readily interchangeable and may be applied 20 to any ofthe wheels of the automobile.

This invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, in view of the accompany ing drawingforming a part of the specifica- 35 tion; nevertheless it is to beunderstood that the 'invention is not confined to` the disclosure, beingsusceptible of such changes and modifications which shall define nomaterial departure from the salient features of 3f) the invention asexpressed in the appended claims. Y

In the drawings:

.Figure 1 is a plan view of the front end of an automobile showing myimproved braking mechanism applied to the front wheels.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the braking mechanism showing theelements of the same in detached relation.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of a wheel l hub and brake drum with mybraking mechanism applied thereto.

Figure 4 is a similar view but looking from the opposite direction. n

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectionof the braking mechanism andbrake drum.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates the front axleprovided with a yoke 2 carrying a spindle 3. 'lhe spindle 3 is mountedin a bearing 4 cast integrally with a disc 5 forming a closure for abrake drum 6 or formed separately andvse cured to the disc as shown inFigure 2. Bearing 4 is provided with a socket 7 adapted to receive oneend of a steering knuckle 8 which is common in automobiles. A spindle 9is secured or cast integrally with a plate 9- Evi and upon which isrevolubly mounted wheels 10. The plate 9a, disc 5 and bearing plate n 4are provided with alined -perforations through which are passedbolts 4afor rigidly G0 securing these three elements together.

Embracing the drum 6 is a brake band 11 having' one end 12 pivotallyconnectedby means'of a pin 13 to a pair of ears 14 formed upon a block15. The block has a depending 65 portion 16 which is secured at 17 tothe disc 5. The block is providedl with an arm 18 projecting inwardlyand provided with a' bearing pin 19' adapted to be received wit-hin asocket 20 formed in the hollow end vof a 70 rock shaft 21. This rockshaft is connected to an operating shaft 22 by a universal coniiection23. rl`he universal connection 'comprises a link 24 pivotally connectedwith ears A25 of the shaft 21 and with the axis of the T5- pivotalconnection disposed vin a horizontal plane while ears 26 of shaft 22have a pivotal connection with the link 24, the axis ofthe pivotalconnection being at' right angles to the pivotal connection between theears 25 S0 and the link 24. i

The outer end of the shaft 22 is mounted in a bearing 27 carried attheupper end of a bracket platel 28` the bracket being secured in anyapproved manner to the axle 1. A S5 spring 30 engaging an operating arm31 and an edge of the bracket 28 is adapted to normally maintain the arm31 in a predetermined position and for returning the shafts 21 and 22 totheir normal inoperative position. The arm 31 is perforated and adaptedto receive one end of an operating link 32 which is adapted to beconnectedV to a foot pedal which when operated is adapted to operateallV fourI brakes at one time. The n.3 free end of the band 11 isprovided with an eye S4-adapted to receive the threaded end 35 of a yoke36. The threadedend is held in lplace in the eye 35 by a nut. .Aperforated lug 37 is pivotally connected with the perforated end of theyoke 36.

Spaced sockets 38 are formed on the band 11 through Vwhich are insertedone end 39 of a spring member, the other end ofthe spring member beingcurved as shown at 40 and re-v 105 ceived withiny a perforated stud 41.The 'f springs 42 are so disposed relative to thedisc 5 and the band 11that they will always tend to maintain the band in disengaged relationwith the drum 6. When it is desired to apply the brake band it isonlynecessary to operate the usual brake pedal of the auto- 'Inu g n p1,646,335

mobile whence the links 32 Will be aetuated for rocking shaft 22, shaft21 and drawing` on the yoke 36 whereby the free end 33 of the hand ismoved toward the blockl thus tightening the band upon the drnin. As soonas thefpedal has been released the springs l2 eo-operating with thespringBO will move certain of the elements of a brakingdevice to anormally inoperative position.` i

That I dann is:

l. In a vehicle, a steering Wheel brake.-

rock shaft having bifnreated opposing ends, a link with its ends pivotedin said bifureated ends of said shafts, the axes of the '-f' pivotpoints of said link being-` at right angles t0 each other, 'and abearing Carried by a stationary part of the vehicle for the other end ofsaid operating shaft.

2. In a vehicle a Wheel brake mechanism 5@ comprising a brake drumelosureplate hav ing a Wheel spindle, a block secured to the plate andoverhanging `the associated brake drum, a brake band with one endpivotally connected to the block, a brake operating shaft with one endonrnaled by the frame of the associated vehicle and its other endjourna'led by said block a link connection be- "tween the remaining 'endof the brake and said operatingshaft, and a springencireling le Vtheoperating shaft tending to' rotate said shaft to hold the brake bandreleased from the drum. n Y

ALVIE CLIDE WOODRUFF. i

